The government’s decision to proceed with construction on Site C comes as a welcome relief to MoveUP members working in Fort St. John and others at BC Hydro.
“Our members have been living with uncertainty about their jobs and futures for many months,” said MoveUP President David Black. “This decision ensures their livelihoods and investments in the community are secure for many years to come.”
With billions of dollars at stake and harsh critics on both sides of the project, this was an extremely difficult decision for the government to make. Premier John Horgan was put in a no-win situation because of the failure of the previous Liberal government to review the project before construction began on Site C.
Premier John Horgan has made the best decision based on all the evidence before him.
MoveUP is encouraged that the government has promised to work with First Nations to help resolve their concerns. There will also be a new Community Benefits Program with a mandate to ensure that project benefits flow to local communities, and increase the number of apprentices and First Nations workers hired onto the project.